New Toxteth homes key to a bright future for Plus Dane and its customers

The keys to 10 brand new properties have now been handed over to those who will now call them home.

The new Wellington Road homes, all 1-bedroom cottage flats, have been developed by north-west housing association, Plus Dane who invested over £1.3m in the development. Each has a private entrance and off-road parking to the rear and were specifically developed for affordable rent.

Jim Preston, Executive Director of Assets at Plus Dane Housing, said: “As a housing provider with a social purpose, we’re passionate about delivering quality homes that local people can afford to live in. We’re proud to have developed these homes for affordable rent.”

Michaela Barton, is one of the first people to move into the new homes, talking about her new home she said “This is my first home with my boyfriend, we have family close by and we know the local area well. It’s not too far from where we work and we can cycle there, the bike store here is a god send. We are delighted with the size, quality and high standard of the property. I can’t believe we live here, I look forward to coming home from work each day.”

In addition to the homes offering those living in them a bright future, they also represent a bright future for Plus Dane itself.

The project manager for the scheme, Jimmy Overill, is one of seven graduate trainees that the organisation recruited to its graduate training programme last summer: “I could never have imagined this time last year that I’d have the opportunity to manage projects like this. Seeing the new owners take the keys and start the next chapter in their lives and knowing that I’ve played a part in that is a really good feeling.”

Several of Plus Dane’s apprentices were also involved in working on site during the construction of the homes.

Jim Preston added: “It’s a fantastic testament to our commitment to investing in developing upcoming talent that we’ve had graduates and apprentices heavily involved in delivering this scheme. That they have produced homes of such a high standard indicates that the future of our organisation is very bright indeed.”

Built by a local contractor, Penny Lane Builders, the scheme was in part funded by Homes England, who have invested £650,000 into the project. It also received support from Liverpool City Council as part of its Housing Strategy.

Carl Moore, Head of Home Ownership and Supply at Homes England, said “It’s fantastic to see residents moving into these new homes in Toxteth. We are pleased to have funded these new homes as part of Homes England’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable homes.”